Shining a light on Monsanto's shadowy lobbying

GE-giant targeted at headquarters in Brussels

On this page

Feature story - 22 May, 2003

Monsanto's European/African Headquarters in Brussels were occupied by activists who want the world's leading producer of genetically modified crops held responsible for spreading genetic contamination.

"We challenge Monsanto to step out of the shadows from where it
is calling the shots. Monsanto's crops are the major source of
genetic contamination in conventional and organic crops not only in
Europe but also in Brazil, Canada and India. With the WTO, the US
administration is now openly fighting for Monsanto's interest,"
said Eric Gall, GMO Policy Advisor for the Greenpeace European
Unit.

The EU agriculture ministers are set to meet in Brussels next
week to discuss genetic contamination on conventional and organic
crops, the so-called "co-existence" issue. The current proposal
from the European Commission fails to protect both the environment
and the interests of non-GM farmers and consumers. The EU
commission proposal is at odds with both the precautionary
principle and the polluter pays principle.

"The current European Commission co-existence proposal is
utterly unacceptable," said Gall.

"It must be the GMO producers such as Monsanto, not organic and
conventional farmers or the European taxpayers, that should bear
the economic burden of genetic pollution and measures required to
prevent it."